Disconnection switch for high tension electric lines



Jan. 26, 1932.

F. H. UPTON 1,843,052 DISCONNECTION SWITCH FOR HIGH TENSION ELECTRIC LINES Filed March 27. 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet A5 2/ /5 v /0 E/ 1 2 7 Z 20 7 a a 20 ATTORNEYS F. H. UPTON Jan. 26, 1932.

DISCONNECTION SWITCH FOR HIGH TENSION ELECTRIC LINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 27, 1950 Grams? C up 4 IN VEN TOR. [km/0515. UP TON A TTORNEYS Patented Jan. 26, 1932 he a PATENT OFFICE rnAnoIsir. nrronor iinrnor'r, MICHIGAN msconnncrron swrrcir non HIGH TENSION ELECTRIC LINES p Application filed March 27,

This invention relates to switches, and means for operating the same: More particularly, it relates to thedisconnecting switches commonly employed in high tension outdoor B installations. Modern electrical practice involves the use of very large and heavy insulating structures, and connecting and disconnecting switches between the same in outdoor installations of various kinds, such, for example, as those employed in sub-station work. Since these switches are rather infrequently operated, and sometimes are not operated at all, over long periods of time, it is sometimes quite difficult to operate them by lever mechanism, or the like, from such adistance as to insure the safety of the operator.

Further, the switches are sometimes encrusted with sleet or ice, which interferes with their easy operation. Y It isthe primary purpose of the present invention to provide a switch structure to which a series of impacts or blows may be imparted when it is desired to open-the same, for. the purpose of loosening the engagement between the blade of the switch and the contact plates with which it engages. The means'by which this is accomplished will be more fully point- 7 ed outin conjunction'with the accompany.-

iing'drawings, wherein p I 1 Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing a pluralityfof insulating structures, and the (118C011- necting switch therebetween, Fig. 2 is a .partial plan-view tureofFig.1, Fig.-3 is an enlarged side view of one of theinsulators,illustrating the contact tonguescarried thereby, and between which an end of the switch blade is received, I 1 I Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view upon .lineik-le, of Fig. l,

Fig. 5 isa vertical sectional view uponhne 5-5'0f Fig. 2, and

Fig. 6 is .a fragmentary sectional view of the central or switch actuating insulator, and associated parts.

Like numerals designate corresponding parts in all of thefigures of the drawings.

.Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a centrally arranged insulating of v the struc- 5 structure which is adapted to be os cillated 1930. Serial No. 439,421.

about its axis by a shaft 6. The insulator is provided with a cap 7, and this cap has a base plate 8 secured thereto by the screws 9. The switch blade consists of a pair of plates 10-11, which are brought together to form the knife-like ends 12. At their intermediate portions, these plates lie in spaced relation to each other, and the necessary rigidity is imparted to the switch blade structure by the channel braces 13, bridges ll and the tiebolts 15, which traverse the plates and spacing sleeves 16, and serve to secure the bearing block 17 to the underside of the switch blade. This bearing. block is traversed by a pivot stud 18, which is carried by the insu- 86 lator cap 7. Thus, the block 17 and the switch blade are pivoted for limited movement with respect to the insulator cap. The base plate 8 carries a pair of U-shaped impact members at its opposite ends, the intermediate portion of said members being traversed by bolts 20, which pass through the outer ends of the base plate. The switch blade lies between the upstanding end members 21, of these U-shaped brackets. A spring 22 is connected to one of the arms of each of the said U-shaped brackets, the other ends of said springs being secured to the angle braces 13. These springs are of such weight as to merely draw the switch blade 8 into alignment with the base plate, at which time one of the upstanding arms 21 of each of the impact members or brackets lies in engagement with an edge of the switch blade,

but by referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that one of these arms "lies upon one side of the switch blade, while the other of said arms lies .upon the other side of the switch blade. The knife ends 12, of the switch blade, are adapted to enter bet-ween and make electrical contact with spring tongues 23, of the electrical conductors, that are to be brought into electrical connection with each other by the switch, these spring'tongues projecting, as shown, from the companion insulator structures 24 and 25 disposed upon opposite sides of the central insulator 5.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that if the switch blade is held against easy movement by its engagement with the spring tongues 23, aquick turning movement of the insulator 5, and its cap 7 of the blade, the thrust being in opposite directions upon opposite sides of the center,

constituted .by the pivot 18-. Thus, nicely balanced but forcible blows are imparted to,

the blade upon opposite sides ofthe'same V to simultaneously jar the knife ends 12 loose i venting lost motion on from their engagement between the tongues 23. As soon as the knifeends are loose from their engagements between tongues 23, the springs act to restore the blade to the position against the closing'andlocking in arms 21*of the U-shaped brackets, thereby prethe closingjswing of the blade. r

Any suitable means may be employed for oscillating the shaft 6, about itsaxis. For

, this purpose, I have indicated a cross arm 6 upon the lower end of theshaft, it being com= mon' practice to actuate arms of this char-i a'cterby any suitable form oflink connections from other points. -Any of the commonly employed ways of securing the several sec tions of the'insulator structure together may be employed, these constituting no part of the present invention, which resides in the means for imparting a blow to the switch blade, irrespective of the particular means for mounting the same. V

' Having described my invention, what I claimis: 1 1

, 1; In aheavy .duty switch, comprising a Switchblade pivoted between its ends and having 'contact'elements'with which 'the opposite ends of the switch blade engages, of abase mounted for free swinging movement with respect to'the blade of such weight as to impart hammer-like blows to the opposite sides of the switch blade. upon the opposite sides of its pivot pointforf the purpose of loosening the switch blade from its engagement with the'contact elements.

1 2. The combination with a heavy duty switch, comprising a switch blade pivoted intermediate its ends for oscillatorymove m'ent, of an oscillating base having lost motion engagement with the switch. blade upon opposite sides of. its pivot point, and contact members with which Ithe. free ends of the switch blade engage said base be-ingcapable of such free movement and being of such size and weight as to impart hammerdike blowsto said switch blade. 7

3. The combination with a heavy connector switch, comprising a switch blade pivoted intermediate its ends for oscillatory movement, of an oscillating base havinglos't motion engagement with the switch blade upon opposite sides of its pivot point,'contact members with which the Ifree ends of the switch blade engage, said base being capable ing the-switch blade into engagementwith one otsaid arms.

5.111 a heavyduty'stru'cture of the character described, th e combination with an oscillatory base plate-pivoted intermediate its ends and carrying a pair of outstanding arms at its oppositeends, of a switch blade pivoted with respect to the base plate and movable betweenthe. a'rm'sof said base plate, as and for the purposes setforth'psaid base being capable of such free movement and being of such size and weight as to impart ham;- mer-l-ike blows to said switch-blades 1T6. -A- structure as recited in, claim; 5,, in combination with spring means tending to move the switch blade into engagement with one of the arms 01": each pair of upstanding arms. s a

7-; In a switch structure, thecombinati-on with an oscillatory base plate, and means for imparting oscillation to the same, of a switch blade pivotallymountedwith respect to the. base plate, a pair of upstanding arms at each end of the base plate between which the switchblade moves, said arms being'so positioned that :one armzozf each pair engages theswitch blade upon one edge of thesame, and an arm of the 'otherpair of upstanding arms normally engages the switch blade upon its :opposite edge, the. distance between said arms being materially greater than the width of the switch blade so that "a lost motion en'- gagement exists between these parts, and so that the arms of the v out of contact with the switch blade, may be forcibly impacted again-st said switch blade and upon opposite sides thereof, by a turn:- -ing movement. softhe base: plate with respect to the switch blade. l r

8;:-A ,structure "asrecited in claim 7 in combination witl sprii-rg' means normally tendingto' -draw the Switchblade into engagement with one of the arms of each pair of -arm's. s 1 7 I I.

9. A structure of the character described, comprising a heavy insulator, means" for imparting turning movement thereto, said sulator comprising a-c'apmember, a b'ase plate secured to said cap member, aswitch blade pivoted for horizontal oscillationrw-ith respectto the cap and base plate, a 'U-shaped bracketsecure'd to each eXtrem'ityb-f the base plate, between the upturned. portions of which the said "switch blade lies and moves, the distance between thej arms of the U shaped pairs which normallylie brackets being materially greater than the width of the switch blade to provide a lost motion engagement between these parts, and springs connecting one of the arms of each U-shaped bracket with an adjacent portion of the switch blade, as and for the purposes set forth.

10. A structure as recited in claim 11, in combination with a separate insulating structure upon each side of the first named insulating structure, and contact fingers carried by the last named insulating structure, and lying in the path of movement of the free ends of the switch blade.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

FRANCIS H. UPTON. 

